10 Upcoming Game Releases for September 2016

2016 has had a bunch of incredible video games already. We had thrilling third-person action/adventure RPGs like Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End, and unique first-person shooters such as Far Cry Primal. But by now you’ve probably finished those games and are looking for something new to get excited about. If you’re a sports fan, September is going to be one hell of a month for you. For those who aren’t, don’t worry, there are still plenty of treats for you being released next month.

Bioshock: The Collection

If you’re one of the few who haven’t played a Bioshock game, or at least, not from the beginning, then you get to look forward to Bioshock: The Collection, which includes the entire series remastered from the first game to Bioshock: Infinite (as well as all the DLC). If you’ve ever seen those phenomenal reviews or heard someone speak highly of the series only to back out of trying it simply because you couldn’t play it from the beginning, September 13th is your chance to change that and join the hordes of gamers who’ve fallen in love with the twists and turns of this beautifully written video game series.

Dead Rising: Triple Pack

September looks like a good month for people trying to catch up on great franchises. The Dead Rising: Triple Pack includes Dead Rising, Dead Rising 2, and Dead Rising: Off The Record, for those who never got to experience the first two major releases. It’s perfect for those of you who want waves upon waves of zombies crashing against whatever weapon you’re able to craft or find to defend yourself. Your battle begins on the 13th of September.

Rive

Sometimes it’s fun to just play a game that doesn’t have any meaning behind any of its gameplay, or moral to its story. If you feel the same, Rive is definitely something to keep an eye out for. You’ll jump, hack, and shoot your way through this 2D sidescrolling platformer, coming to all consoles on the 13th of September.

FIFA 17

Another year, another FIFA game! It’s basically the same as last year only this time, it’s different. Unlike others in the series, FIFA 17 was developed using the Frostbite game engine. It features a story about a 17-year-old multiracial aspiring footballer, and will implement dialogue wheels (for story mode only, obviously). But chances are, you’re not really interested in story mode. Other changes in matches include the new attacking techniques and an active intelligence system, to make those players more versatile and those matches much more adrenaline-pinching. The new FIFA game is due for release on the 29th of September.

NBA 2K17

If you’re more of a basketball fan, you get to eagerly wait for the new entry in the NBA video game series. This year, as usual, we’ll see various improvements made to the MyGM and MyLeague game modes, as well as the realistic depiction of the sport, for example, basketball players such as Stephen Curry who oftentimes makes historically bad shots, were unable to be accurately portrayed in 2K16 simply due to the technical complexity of it. While 2K Sports has promised nothing (or next to nothing) in regards to that matter, they’ve said that some improvements were made and the game will feel a lot more balanced. Does that sound vague? Yes, yes it does. But you and every other NBA fan can find out just how much of an improvement was made on the 20th of September, when the game is released.

NHL 17

If you’re into ice-hockey (or just Canadian), September 13th (North America, 15th for Europe) brings with it NHL 17— the latest in the series of ice-hockey simulations. For the first time in said series, teams from the ECHL (East Coast Hockey League) are playable. Aside from that, as with most, if not all sports games being released this year, there have been improvements made to general gameplay and the aesthetics of the game, with the help of motion-capture and the implementation of ‘reactionary save intelligence’, developed for the goalkeepers.

Pro Evolution Soccer 17

Are you a fan of soccer but not a fan of FIFA? PES 17, is your alternative. What’s new in this entry is that match analysis has been made available for both online and offline games, allowing you to analyse your opponent’s favourite moves, areas of attack, and traits. You know it’ll be worth trying since it’s been nominated for both the E3 Games Critics Award, and the Gamescom 2016 Award for Best Sports Game.

NASCAR Heat Evolution

With 23 different tracks, four different game modes, and the challenge presented to you to beat NASCAR records, NASCAR Heat Evolution is a racing game that should excite, especially since this is the first NASCAR game to be released for current-gen consoles. Look out for it in stores on September 13th.

XCOM 2

While PC gamers have been enjoying XCOM 2 since February, console gamers will get their chance to try this turn-based strategy game on the 30th of September. With added depth using a concealment system, which allows for stealth and reconnaissance, and the use of a procedurally generated map to prevent patterns from forming, there’s no doubt that developers Firaxis Games have outdone themselves with XCOM 2, and proven that this rebooted series is one to keep an eye on.

Shantae: Half-Genie Hero

Last but not least, the indie platformer, Shantae: Half-Genie Hero, a kickstarter funded game that places you in the magical shoes of Shantae— a 2D shapeshifting half-genie, whom in this game, is trying to prevent the escape of a powerful malevolent force from escaping the mystical genie realm. If you’re interested in a good ol’ fashioned platformer or you’re a fan of the series (which is now up to the its fourth entry), look out for Shantae: Half-Genie Hero on the 27th of September.